I think 40 grains is the max you can put in one of these chambers. But, based on my chronograph data, even the big Dragoon is not a good choice for hunting, the velocity and power is not there. You want a clean humane kill.
These are velocities I got in my Dragoon and the round ball is coming out at 38 Special velocity.
Does anyone recommend a 38 Special for deer? Probably not.
Quote:
Colt 3rd Model Dragoon
142 gr .454 Round Ball 40 grain Volumetric Measured GOEX FFG RWS cap
July 1999 T= 99 -100 ° F
Ave Vel =785
Std Dev =30
ES =73
Low =741
High =814
N =4
142 gr .454 Round Ball 40 grain Volumetric Measured GOEX FFG CCI#11 cap
24 July 1999 T= 99 -100 ° F
Ave Vel =837
Std Dev =18
ES =56
Low =814
High =870
N =8
142 gr .454 Round Ball 40 grain Volumetric Measured Pyrodex Rem #1 cap
July 1999 T= 99 -100 ° F
Ave Vel =920
Std Dev =0
ES =0
Low =920
High =920
N =1
too many solids caused chronograph to malfunction.
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